Betty's RV Park and a Visit to New Iberia, Louisiana

Thanks to the suggestion of one of my blog followers I arrived at Betty's RV Park on Tuesday afternoon, just in time to get Floribunda settled and hooked up and get myself to the daily happy hour.  Betty's is small (about 16 sites with a few extra spots for boon-dockers), not fancy, but oh so nice and comfortable with lots of southern hospitality.  Most of the campers are return visitors, some who've been coming to Betty's RV Park for years - we hail from all corners of the US and Canada.  In the three days I've been here I've been able to connect with two couples who are friends of friends - you know how that goes.  We're a big-small group and it's especially fun to connect with virtual friends and friends of virtual friends.

Even before I arrived I received a couple of emails from Betty regarding activities she wanted to make sure I knew of.  The first was a caroling party to three different assisted living facilities, which we did today.  But I'm getting ahead of myself.

At that first happy hour I was introduced to the whole group who welcomed me with open arms.  I was even invited to go out for lunch and a little touring in New Iberia, a town not far from here.  So, yesterday a group of us piled in several cars and headed to Victor's, a cafeteria-style restaurant that's famous throughout this area.

 As I said, it's a cafeteria.  Here're some of the crew who obviously love their jobs

Just take a look at those desserts!  They're all made on the premises each 

morning, beginning at 4:30.  Not in the photo is the most scrumptious apple pie 

I've ever eaten.  The crust was tender and flaky, the cinnamon-apple filling cooked just 

right, and topped with home made caramel sauce and chopped pecans.

I heard the coconut cream pie was to die for but I was too involved with my apple pie

Here's the lunch gang.  Most of us had either fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy

with various side dishes; or, some had chicken gumbo with red beans and rice.

Delicious is all I can say!

After lunch we hopped in the cars and headed to the Shadows on the Teche, an ante-bellum mansion located on Teche Bayou.  What is the Teche Bayou?  First of all, simply put, a bayou is a body of water usually found in flat, low-lying areas, and can refer to either a slow-moving stream or river, or a marshy lake or wetland.  According to wikipedia:  the Bayou Teche  is a 125-mile-long waterway of great cultural significance in south central Louisiana.  It was the Mississippi River's main course when it developed a delta about 2,800 to 4,500 years ago.  Through a natural process known as deltaic switching, the river's deposits of silt and sediment cause the Mississippi to change its course every thousand years or so.

This is the front of the Shadows on the Teche, built between 1831 and 1834

Part of the group ready for the tour.  Unfortunately they don't allow photos of the interior of

the mansion; most of the furniture and art work is the original

This is the entry walk bordered by its magnificent greenery

Although, most ante-bellum homes were built to face the bayou, the front of the Shadows
faces the street

The grounds are simply extraordinary with their 150-200-year-old

southern live oaks draped and dripping with Spanish moss

I'm not sure what this bush/tree is; it's obviously deciduous, but the moss

covers the branches like Winter leaves

The southern live oak (Quercus virginiana) also supports the resurrection fern .  The guide explained that as the weather dries because of no rain for a period of time, the
resurrection fern dries up; then 'resurrects' itself as soon as the next rainfall occurs.

Depending on growing conditions the southern live oak can vary from a shrub-size to a giant and spreading tree-size.  A typical tree can reach 60 feet in height with a spread of nearly 80 feet.  Often the lower limbs branch out from the trunk and sweep down towards the ground before curving up again.  The limbs can also grow at very severe angles.  I'm fascinated by the majesty of this beautiful tree that is literally seen on almost every street.  The live oak trees at the Shadows are between
150 and 200 years old

Of course, as with any spreading tree, the root spread equals, or surpasses, the spread of the limbs.

A photo taken from the front of the mansion out towards the lovely Christmas-decorated 

house across the street

As was the custom for many southern plantations in the ante-bellum period, the family cemetery is

on the grounds of the mansion

From the backyard a view of Bayou Teche [with some dredging going on]

Since I don't have their permission I won't list the names of the 'gang,' but the man on the right is a gentleman who is an Acadian and knows lots about the area.  Fun for us to have our own guide.

This is the lovely house across the street, decked out in its holiday finest

The End - for now!

I Have to Make A Generalized Apology . . .

When I first started RV-ing with any regularity, I'd take my little Toyota Dolphin out for a weekend here or a week there, interspersed with a busy work life.  I remember telling my sister-in-law, Barb, "I don't want to just park my rig for a month or so with a bunch of retired people."

I found, first of all, a 'bunch of retired people' can be more interesting, more aware, have more information than a newspaper or even a text book.  And, the 'retired people' I've met in the last two years have been a group of the most interesting, active, patriotic, caring (I could go on and on) people I could ever hope to meet in a lifetime.  I apologize for my stupidity.

When I bought my house in Roseville, California in 2009 to be closer to my daughter and her family, I signed up to be the new guy in a very established neighborhood.  I was still very much involved in working, so, other than my daughter's family and my colleagues at the office, I didn't make any new friends.  I spent a lot of time alone - reading, knitting, going to the gym, shopping, baking.  I wished 'good morning' and 'have a nice day to my neighbors,' but that was about the extent of the new relationships.

I've been here at Betty's RV Park for a day and a half and have met everybody (16 sites - all occupied).  Most of the RV-ers have been here year after year and know their way around.  More importantly, they want to share their experiences and knowledge with this newbie.  I knew there was a happy hour every afternoon; I'd thought to myself that I'd go for a few minutes - just to be neighborly; after all, most RV-ers are couples and I've not wanted to be intrusive.  Yesterday I went to the happy hour at 4:45-ish and was surprised when people started talking about going home.  It was almost seven o'clock!!  I had a ball!

One couple invited me to a favorite cajun restaurant for lunch today; and, by the end of the get-together, the group had become about 10 people.  So, today I'll get my up close and personal introduction to Cajun cooking.  I have to take my camera and post some new pics.  I'm having, as the OFM says, soooo much funnnnnnn!

And, I want to apologize to my sister-in-law and to all retired RV-ers; I need to practice what I preach.

Don't Knock It If You Haven't Tried It!

I'll leave you with a few photos from my cousin, Linda, in Antigua, Guatemala.
Click on a photo to enlarge it.

 A Maya outdoor market - very close to my cousin Linda's house in Antigua

 Linda does volunteer work at Hermano (Brother) Pedro Hospital for the poor in Antigua.  This beautiful painting was done by one of the young patients.  Of course, it's the baby Jesus; but he's visited by Hermano Pedro, who was canonized by Pope Paul VI.  He's the patron saint of Guatemala.

This is an outdoor presentation of "The Messiah" given in an outdoor church/theater amongst the ruins of Santo Domingo Hotel

And, finally, an arrangement of poinsettias, the Christmas flower.  In Antigua they bloom all year long

Feliz Navidad a todos mis amigos en Guatemala!

Houston, Texas . . . Visit December 12th

Addendum 12/18/13:  I checked the blog this morning and see that there are strange things going on with the photos in the finished post.  I don't know what the problem is!  Same camera, same process; something's going on!!!!!

I've had a devil of a time uploading photos from iPhoto for this post.  I've started it several times and the photos have caused me lots of angst.  Just now, I decided to get back to it and see that all the images I'd uploaded previously are gone.  Drats.  Anyway, I'm going to try again.  I think I'll leave out some of the dialog; maybe that's what the issue is.  I made the jaunt into Houston last Thursday; it's really not a bad drive from Livingston, about 72 miles.  I waited until after 9 that morning; being a seasoned commuter in the San Francisco Bay Area, I figured traffic would be difficult during morning rush hour.  As I got closer and closer to the city I wondered where the traffic was.  There just wasn't any problem at all.

Click on photos to enlarge

This is a photo of Houston skyline, taken on a sunny day

This is the first view I had of the Houston skyline driving south from Livingston - very
overcast and cold

Just getting ready to leave the freeway and enter the city

I drove off the freeway into the theater district and was able to park right on the street outside Bayou Place.

Bayou Place is a complex of cinema, restaurants and convention center

Directly across the street from Bayou Place is the Wortham Center Theaters

Beautiful, lush grounds around Wortham Center

Wortham Center Theater grounds

More theater complex grounds - absolutely gorgeous

I parked Petunia here at about 11 and watched lots of mothers with their children arriving for a showing of "The Nutcracker;"  I think it was to begin at 11:30.  Christmas traditions!

Across the street from the side of the Wortham Center is a wonderful sculpture, called "Virtuoso," located in front of the Lyric Center Building.  It's just one of many sculptures throughout downtown Houston.

Lyric Center Building

"Virtuoso"

Next door to the Lyric Center is the Alley Theater; here's the marquis for this season:

I was very impressed with Houston, founded in 1836; it's modern, cosmopolitan, clean, not crowded (at least what I saw) and has managed to show off a lot of greenery.  It seemed to me that every huge building complex has done a wonderful job of making sure that one can always see some green:  trees, shrubs, grass . . .

The history of the high-risers in Houston began in 1904 with the completion of an 8-story Lomas & Nettleton Building; but it certainly didn't stop there!  There are now 360 high-rise buildings; 45 of which are skyscrapers, meaning that they're over 400 feet tall.  I simply drove up and down the streets of downtown and stopped from time to time for a photo op. 

Bank of America building

Tallest skyscraper in Houston - J.P. Morgan Chase Tower - 1,002 feet, 75 floors

Another side of the Tower - check the traffic at about 12 noon

Houston Chronicle building - takes up one full block

More tall buildings

Interesting design - a little different than the reflecting finishes on many buildings

Check out the trees - all throughout downtown.  It's very refreshing.
I couldn't get over the lack of congestion

Walkway between skyscrapers

Lunch time

I had a pulled pork sandwich with 2 sides:  macaroni & cheese and coleslaw

More greenery

Parking garage - no traffic jams!

I really enjoyed my short visit to Houston; of course, one visit can in no way do it justice.  I'd chosen to go to one museum, "The American Cowboy Museum."  It's actually located about 10-miles south of the downtown area.  I'd read about it and was interested in the fact that it was created by two women.  The mission of the museum is to preserve the western heritage of Native Americans, Blacks, Hispanics and women.  The founder, Mollie Taylor-Stevenson, Jr. and her mother were the first living African Americans inducted into the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Ft. Worth, Texas.  In 1988, Mollie Stevenson, Sr. and her daughter, Mollie Stevenson, Jr., founded and continue to operate the museum in the effort to preserve the multicultural history of the West.

After lunch at Pappas, I drove out to the museum that is actually located on the Taylor-Stevenson Ranch, which has been owned and operated by the Taylor and Stevenson family for over 150 years.  The ranch was established in the mid-1800s by E. R, Taylor and his slave, Ann.  The founder of the museum, Mollie Stevenson, Sr. is the great-granddaughter of that couple.

I share all this because when I arrived at the ranch, I found that the gate was locked.  Hmmm, wonder what that's about; the museum is supposed to be open Monday through Friday from 10 - 4.   So I took out my iPhone and called the number on the gate.  A lady answered the phone and when I asked if the museum was open, she said, "You have to have a reservation."  I said that I hadn't seen that mentioned anywhere.  "Oh, that's right," she said,  it's not in the brochures."  Then she suggested that I return the next day; I said I didn't think I could.  She asked how many would be in my party.  I said, "Just me."  Then she informed me that they only open for a minimum of five in a group.  That cancelled me out completely.  I told her I'd have to gather up some others and return the next time I'm in Houston!
What she did share was that she is Mollie Stevenson, Sr. and that was something interesting so it wasn't a complete bust.

I headed 'home' to Rainbow's End, leaving Houston about 3:30 and was home before 5 where my trusty Lacy and Eleanor were waiting patiently for me.

Pope Francis's Birthday

Lacy, Eleanor and I head out this morning for Abbeville, LA and Betty's RV Park.  It'll be a relaxing (I hope) 100-mile jaunt.  Since I've been so hyped about the new Pope, I'm reminded that today is his birthday.  This is how he started his day:

From "Seasons of Grace" today . . . 

Four Men and a Dog: Pope Francis’ Birthday Breakfast with His Homeless Neighbors

December 17, 2013 By Kathy Schiffer Leave a Comment

Pope Francis began his 77^th birthday as he begins every other day:  by celebrating Mass in the chapel at the Domus Sanctae Marthae.

Pope Francis with four homeless men following morning Mass in the Domus Sanctae Marthae

This morning, though, the faithful who gathered to pray with him were not cardinals or foreign dignitaries.  Joining the Pope for Mass and a special birthday breakfast were his household staff, four homeless men and a dog.  Also attending and concelebrating the Mass with the Pope were Archbishop Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State, and Cardinal Angelo Sodano, the Dean of the College of Cardinals.

The homeless men, who live in the area around St. Peter’s Basilica, had been invited by Almoner Monsignor Konrad Krajewski.  After the Mass, as one of the men held his dog in his arms, they joined the household staff in feting the Holy Father with a rousing “Happy Birthday” (I think that’s “Buon Compleanno” in Italian).  Then all were invited to a “family-style” breakfast in the guesthouse.

Saint Francis of Assisi and the Christmas Creche

As I was reading my blogs yesterday I noticed in "Seasons of Grace" the history of the Christmas creche and wanted to share the story with you.  I love learning about holiday traditions from across the ages and the World.  It looks like I'll be learning about another culture this year and hope to have some interesting stories to tell.

Saint Francis of  Assisi is credited with building the first nativity scene in 1223; it was a "living" one.  He asked for, and received, permission of the Pope to build the creche for the intention of encouraging the worship of Christ.  It was after his visit to the Holy Land where he'd seen Jesus's birthplace.  The scene he built became popular throughout Catholic countries and continues today.  Of course, in the United States it's become an issue that government agencies not demonstrate a preference for Christianity over other faiths like Judaism, Muslims, Hinduism, etc.  The symbolization of the nativity scene, in my opinion, can be taken as an honorific to birth and new life, in general.

I have several nativity scenes I've collected in my travels, albeit packed away in storage.  Here are a few scenes I took off the Internet.  In a future post I'll share some of the traditions I've shared in while living in Provence, France and Guatemala ....

Now, I'm heading out in Cajun country to find out about these holiday traditions .... and other things too.

 Greek Byzantine nativity scene

 Mexican dried flower nativity scene

Napoli nativity scene

LEGO Nativity Scene

 Living Nativity Scene - Poland

 Silhouette Nativity Scene

Peruvian Combination Crucifix and Nativity Scene